April 16, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 16, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber and Mike Clary. Members absent: none.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Clary, and carried to approve the agenda.
It was moved by Faber seconded by Bechen and carried to authorize the auditor to pay the following claims: SDACC $322.00 CLERP; Mid-States Organized Crime $100.00 DUES; HFCA $7,419.94, Sturdevant’s $162.62, Wingen’s Garage $94.00 FUEL; Miner Insurance Agency $727.00, Wellmark $53,338.62 INSURANCE; Cummins Sales & Service $527.23, Grahek $75.00, Istate Truck Center $1,774.43, Office Peeps $65.00 REPAIRS; Butler Machinery $285.91, Istate Truck Center $509.42, Jack’s Uniforms & Equipment $191.84, Matheson Tri Gas $695.40, Office Ally $39.95, RDO Equipment $29.01, Shane’s Hardware $332.27, SD Federal Property Agency $184.88, Sturdevant’s $858.83, Transource $428.29, Zabel Steel $138.41 SUPPLIES; Verizon $89.62 TELEPHONE; Joe Bechen $38.25, Jennifer Bolden $60.00, Kathy Faber $64.26, Joni Jacobsen $219.12, SDAAO $235.00, The Lodge at Deadwood $210.00 TRAVEL; Central Electric Coop $67.69, Xcel Energy $44.82 UTILITIES
Faber reported on her attendance at the ambulance board meeting on April 9th. Reisch reported on his attendance at the 4-H Open House on April 14.
Cora Schwader appeared for public comment to inform the board that it is National Safety Telecommunicators Week, a week to recognize the important work dispatchers do. Miner County Dispatch was started in 1987, with 911 added in 1994. Schwader recognized the current Miner County dispatchers: Randy Schwader, Joni Jacobsen, Jennifer Bolden, Deborah Gibson, Jennifer Hahn, Shannon Hoffman, Kelly Sherman, and Katie Leary. Kelly Sherman will be leaving her position this month after two years of service to the county; the Commissioners expressed their appreciation for her service, and all the work our dispatchers do.
Tami Severson also appeared for public comment. Severson was recently made aware of a small campground/campsite that is planned to be located within a town district of Miner County. The current planning & zoning ordinance allows this within the ag district but it is not currently listed as an option within a town district. A conditional use option for a campground would need to be added for it to be allowable. Severson also reported on an issue with building permit fees. Auditor Mommaerts also relayed a report from Custodian Kiehl during public comment that the light fixture discussed at the previous meeting has been fixed.
Highway Superintendent Krempges appeared for highway matters. He gave an update to the board on Amie Kidd, and reported that Amanda Austerman has been doing well filling in during Kidd’s absence. The highway has recently been working on pulling shoulders. Krempges is hopeful Subsurface will be able to do the culvert liners this Spring yet. Krempges asked about chip sealing the courthouse driveways and parking lot this year when they chip seal nearby, which the Commissioners approved. Krempges will check with Brad Stangohr regarding if they are able to chip seal over the cement drainage area of the parking lot. Citywide cleanups have been set: May 4th for Carthage, and June 1st for Canova. The pick-up and truck that were ordered will hopefully arrive in May. Krempges also informed the board of his upcoming vacation beginning the end of April and going into the first few days in May.
The following plat was recommended for approval by Severson. Motion by Reisch second by Bechen and carried to approve the following resolution:
Resolution 24-15
Be it resolved by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF MILLER ADDITION IN THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 14, T 105 N, R 56 W OF THE 5TH P.M. MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, which has been submitted for examination pursuant to law, is hereby approved and the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to endorse on such plat a copy of this Resolution and certify the same.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor
Protsch had notes from States Attorney Ellendorf regarding the burn ban revision; he will her draft a copy of the proposed ordinance for a future meeting.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Faber, and carried to amend the motion they made on April 9th for operating transfers, to remove the portion regarding an operating transfer for Unemployment and to be rewritten as follows: “It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Faber, and carried to make an operating transfer, as provided for in the 2024 budget, of $20,000.00 from the General Fund to Dispatch.”
Reisch made a motion, seconded by Faber and carried to move $836 from assigned unemployment funds to unassigned funds, in conjunction with the reemployment assistance payment made to the Department of Labor.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize the Chairman to sign the contract for Project Boundary Fence with Dakota State University.
Motion by Clary, seconded by Bechen and carried to approve the minutes from April 2nd and the April 9th minutes, with the approved motion amendment.
Motion by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to adjourn.
The meeting adjourned to May 7th. Dated this 16th day of April, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor